Preemie / Newborn Crochet Shell Baby Hat

Preemie/Newborn Crochet Shell Baby Hat 

Crochet hat in two sizes. Pattern is the same for both sizes. The size difference is achieved using different crochet hook sizes.

To fit a preemie with head circumference 10”-12”
Finished hat laying flat measures 5 1/4” wide and 4 1/2” tall

To fit a newborn with head circumference 12”-14”
Finished hat laying flat measures 6” wide and 5” tall


Materials
#3 yarn (I used Bernat Baby Coordinates)
Use a 4mm crochet hook to make the preemie size hat and a 4.5mm hook to make the newborn size hat

Notes
Each round is started in the same stitch as the starting chain. The end of each round is joined with a slip stitch to the first dc of the round, not to the starting chain. This makes a straight seam, and not a travelling seam, up the back of the hat.

hdc = half double crochet
dc = double crochet
Sl st = slip stitch
Ch = chain
St(s) = stitch(es)


Instructions

Hat:
Round 1: Make a magic circle, ch 1, 8 dc into circle, join (8dc)
Round 2: Ch 1, 2 dc in each st around, join (16dc)
Round 3: Ch 1, *2 dc in first st, dc in next st, repeat from * around, join (24dc)
Round 4: Ch 1, *2 dc in first st, dc in next 2 sts, repeat from * around, join (32dc)
Round 5: Ch 1, *2 dc in first st, dc in next 3 sts, repeat from * around, join (40dc)
Round 6: Ch 1, *2 dc in first st, dc in next 7 sts, repeat from * around, join (45dc)
Round 7: Ch 2, skip 2 sts, 5 dc in next st. *Skip 2 sts, dc in next st, skip 2 sts, 5dc in next st. Repeat from * around, join
Round 8: Ch 2, 2dc in same st. *Skip 2 sts, dc in next st, skip 2 sts, 5 dc in next st. Repeat from * around. End with 2 dc in the first st to complete the first 5dc shell. Join with a sl st to top of first ch 2.
Rounds 9-12: Repeat Rounds 7 and 8.
Round 13: Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join.
Fasten off and weave in ends.


Flower:
Ch 5, sl st to 1st ch to form ring

1st Layer
Round 1: Ch 7, [2dc in ring, ch 4] 5 times, dc in ring, sl st in 3rd chain of beginning ch 7.
Round 2: [sc, hdc, 4dc, hdc, sc] in each ch 4 sp around, sl st to first sc.

2nd Layer
Round 1: Ch 1, *sc around 1st dc post from 1st Layer, ch 3, sc around 2nd dc post. Repeat from * around.
Round 2: [sc, hdc, 3dc, hdc, sc] in each ch 3 sp around, sl st to first sc.

Fasten off leaving a 6" tail to sew flower onto hat.